Poverty Facts

Poverty is a devastating problem of global proportions. In order to be effective in fighting poverty, you need to understand the truth about it. These poverty facts will help educate you on the reality of poverty. As you better understand the facts about poverty, you will be better able to make a difference for those affected by it.

The facts about poverty can be overwhelming. It is a ruthless and relentless enemy with an arsenal of weapons. Infant mortality, hunger, disease, illiteracy, child labor … the list of obstacles those in poverty face seems endless.

These poverty facts give you a good picture of the devastating effect poverty has on its victims, especially the most vulnerable. Because of their helplessness and vulnerability, children are at even greater risk than adults of dying from poverty-related causes.

Learn the facts about poverty so that you understand the reality of the problem and how it relates to children. Then do something about it. Sponsor a child in need today and begin making a difference.

Poverty

Learn the facts about poverty and how it affects children in need and their families.

Worldwide 600 million children are living in extreme poverty.

The cost of eradicating world poverty is estimated at 1 percent of global income.

Almost half the world — over 3 billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.

The poorest 40 percent of the world’s population accounts for 5 percent of global income. The richest 20 percent accounts for three-quarters of world income.

1.6 billion people — a quarter of humanity — live without electricity.

6.9 million children under five years of age died in 2011, nearly 800 every hour.

The highest rates of child mortality are still in sub-Saharan Africa – where 1 in 9 children dies before age 5.

The number of under-five deaths worldwide has declined from more than 12 million in 1990 to 6.9 million in 2011. Nearly 19,000 children under five died every day in 2011.

Globally, the four major killers of children under age 5 are pneumonia (18 percent), diarrheal diseases (15 percent), preterm birth complications (12 percent) and birth asphyxia (9 percent).

58 percent of deaths in children under age five are caused by infectious diseases.

In 1981, 52 percent of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty (defined as living on $1.25 or less a day.) Data from the World Bank released in February 2012 estimates that 22 percent of people live in extreme poverty.

Country with highest number of under five deaths: India.

Every day, approximately 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.